Watch For Sheep Crossing the Road

So I'm sitting at home last night enjoying the cool from the air conditioning and searching the internet for the latest news in the U.S. and State. When, low and behold I run across a story that was released by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks department.

Over the past week seven big horn sheep have been killed on highways in Western Montana. Five were hit along Montana 200 near Bonner, one near Lower Rock Creek and another on US 93 at the east fork of the Bitterroot River.

There were no injuries of humans reported. However, it’s a very sad demise of 7 of these animals. An awful ending to such a majestic life. And sadly there appears to be no solution to this problem.

A wildlife biologist for FWP says that the sheep are attracted to salt on the road. They are always in search of greener pastures that are freshly irrigated. Thus leading them to wonder without precaution to vehicles on the roads.

In a press release, FWP asks motorists who are traveling in the area to be cautious. They also remind travelers to anticipate sheep merging onto roadways without signaling.

I guess sheep are just like many other drivers…no signal, cut you off, not yielding to traffic, oblivious to other motorists in the area. I have an idea…let’s put brake lights and signals on all the Big Horn Sheep when they reach a legal driving age for sheep. Or perhaps the sheep should learn to look both ways before crossing the street.